Rudolph "Rudy" William Stefanatz passed away peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 97.
He was born Sept. 13, 1915, in Twin Bridges. Rudy was the youngest of seven children - four brothers and two sisters born to Mike and Kathryn Stefanatz. As a young boy he attended school and worked on the family ranch in Twin Bridges.
He met Agnes Cassidy, the love of his life, at a community dance in Dillon where he was playing banjo in a local band. They were married June 9, 1941.
He began his work career in the mines where he mined gold, copper and chromium. After 10 years in the mines he became a lineman, working on power line construction throughout Montana. He was one of the first linemen to join the electrical union and recently received his 65-year pin. He completed his work years in Kalispell working for Flathead Electric Cooperative for 28 years, before his retirement in 1978.
He is survived by his three children, Ed Stefanatz, John Stefanatz and Nancy and Vince Jarvis; five grandchildren, Shelly and Eric Smith, Carrie and Ted Burnham, Eddie Stefanatz, Kristen and Eric Dion, and Nicole and Ryan Neggers. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Kaycee, Kate, Claire, Cameron, Quintin, Danielle and Tyler who were all the light of his life.
Rudy enjoyed fishing and hunting and was always the one to catch the most and biggest fish. After he retired, he spent 13 years in Arizona where he and Agnes bought a winter home. They loved playing cards, dancing, camping and socializing with their many friends.
He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for many years and was active in the Kalispell Senior Citizens Center, playing cribbage and pinochle. He has recently been living at Greenwood Village Assisted Living. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the friendship and care he received from the staff there.
Rudy's laughter and keen sense of humor will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family.
"We take peace in knowing that Grandma had your coffee ready."
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that donations be made to Frontier Hospice for their loving care of Rudy, at 29 2nd Street East, Kalispell.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A reception will immediately follow at 59 Sunset Court in Kalispell.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rudolph Stefanatz, please visit our flower store.
He was born Sept. 13, 1915, in Twin Bridges. Rudy was the youngest of seven children - four brothers and two sisters born to Mike and Kathryn Stefanatz. As a young boy he attended school and worked on the family ranch in Twin Bridges.
He met Agnes Cassidy, the love of his life, at a community dance in Dillon where he was playing banjo in a local band. They were married June 9, 1941.
He began his work career in the mines where he mined gold, copper and chromium. After 10 years in the mines he became a lineman, working on power line construction throughout Montana. He was one of the first linemen to join the electrical union and recently received his 65-year pin. He completed his work years in Kalispell working for Flathead Electric Cooperative for 28 years, before his retirement in 1978.
He is survived by his three children, Ed Stefanatz, John Stefanatz and Nancy and Vince Jarvis; five grandchildren, Shelly and Eric Smith, Carrie and Ted Burnham, Eddie Stefanatz, Kristen and Eric Dion, and Nicole and Ryan Neggers. He is also survived by his eight great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Kaycee, Kate, Claire, Cameron, Quintin, Danielle and Tyler who were all the light of his life.
Rudy enjoyed fishing and hunting and was always the one to catch the most and biggest fish. After he retired, he spent 13 years in Arizona where he and Agnes bought a winter home. They loved playing cards, dancing, camping and socializing with their many friends.
He was a member of the Elks and Eagles for many years and was active in the Kalispell Senior Citizens Center, playing cribbage and pinochle. He has recently been living at Greenwood Village Assisted Living. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude for the friendship and care he received from the staff there.
Rudy's laughter and keen sense of humor will be greatly missed by all of his friends and family.
"We take peace in knowing that Grandma had your coffee ready."
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask that donations be made to Frontier Hospice for their loving care of Rudy, at 29 2nd Street East, Kalispell.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, June 17, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A reception will immediately follow at 59 Sunset Court in Kalispell.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.